Jennifer Lawrence Blames Trolls for Missing Sharon Tate Role in Tarantino's Hollywood Epic
Jennifer Lawrence says trolls labeled her not pretty enough for Sharon Tate, leading to Margot Robbie getting the role.
Oscar-winning Actor Jennifer Lawrence has revealed that she missed out on playing Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood after online backlash questioned whether she was “pretty enough” for the role. Jennifer shared the experience during a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, reflecting on how internet commentary may have influenced the casting decision.
Released in 2019, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood featured a star-studded cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, with Margot Robbie ultimately portraying Tate. The film went on to earn widespread critical acclaim and grossed over $377 million worldwide. Jennifer said she was initially approached about the project but sensed momentum fade amid online reactions.
“And then everybody was like, ‘She’s not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate,’” Jennifer recalled, adding that the role eventually went elsewhere. She admitted she is not entirely certain whether the backlash directly cost her the part or whether she was never seriously in contention but said the episode highlighted how quickly online narratives can shape perceptions.
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Robbie’s performance as Tate was praised for its quiet, poignant presence in the film, which reimagined Hollywood in 1969 against the backdrop of the Manson Family murders. Sharon Tate, a rising star at the time, was murdered in 1969 at the age of 26, cutting short a promising career that included films such as Valley of the Dolls and The Fearless Vampire Killers.
Jennifer also reflected on how repeated retellings can blur memory and reality. “It’s that thing where I’ve been telling the story this way for so long that I believe it,” she said, before adding that the internet can sometimes be harsher than the truth itself.
Despite the missed opportunity, Jennifer's career continues to thrive, with multiple acclaimed performances since then. Her comments have sparked renewed discussion about the influence of online trolling on casting decisions and the persistent scrutiny faced by women in Hollywood over appearance.
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